EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette's football coaching staff has announced its list of freshmen recruits set to enroll at the College this Fall as members of the Class of 2007, the third full-year recruiting effort under Head Coach Frank Tavani.

Tavani will enter his fourth season as the Leopards' head coach with 31 recruits. A diverse and talented class, the recruits are coming from Lafayette's historically strong recruiting areas, as well as a few new regions. Eleven are from Pennsylvania, including three from the Lehigh Valley area and three from Philadelphia, while eight are from Florida, five from New Jersey, four from New York, two from Maryland and one from Ohio.

"The offensive and defensive lines and the defensive secondary were points of emphasis," Tavani said. "Depth is as much a part of this rebuilding process as talent. We are excited to be adding numbers and talent to the program. This is a tremendous recruiting class, both academically and athletically."

Of the 31 recruits, 12 are projected by the Leopards' coaching staff as interior linemen. There are also eight defensive backs, three wide receivers and three tailbacks. The average size of the seven incoming offensive linemen is 6-4, 273, while the five defensive linemen average 6-3, 251.

Lafayette recorded the second-best turnaround among NCAA Division I-AA programs this past season. After finishing with a 2-8 overall record in 2001 and being picked seventh in the Patriot League's preseason poll, the Leopards improved by five victories to go 7-5 overall and 5-2 in the Patriot League for a third-place finish. Lafayette's only two league losses were to co-champions Colgate and Fordham, each by a margin of just one touchdown.

For the third straight year, Lafayette led the Patriot League in Verizon District II Academic All-Americans with five honorees. That raises the program's total to 31 Academic All-Americans in the past seven seasons and 16 in three seasons under Tavani.

NOTE -- Official notification will be extended by the Office of Admissions.

LAFAYETTE FOOTBALL -- Class of 2007

CRAIG BLOOM, Defensive End, 6-5, 215, Monaca,Pa./Monaca
Plans to major in Electrical and Computer Engineering. AT MONACA HIGH SCHOOL: Ranks seventh in his class...president of the school's National Honor Society...earned third-team All-State honors from The Associated Press and second-team All-State honors from Pennsylvania Football News...received the prestigious West Penn Allegheny Health System Scholar-Athlete Award and was chosen as conference coaches association scholar-athlete three straight seasons...named a first-team All-Conference tight end and defensive end three straight seasons, the first student-athlete in Monaca history to accomplish such a feat...earned FAB 22 honors from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette...a three-year letterwinner on the basketball team who earned a spot on the Beaver County Times All-Defensive team as a junior. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bloom...twin brother of teammate Keith Bloom...born 9/8/84.

KEITH BLOOM, Tight End, 6-5, 215, Monaca, Pa./Monaca
Plans to major in Physics or Chemistry. AT MONACA HIGH SCHOOL: Ranks ninth in his class and has served as a class officer for four years...earned second-team All-State honors from Pennsylvania Football News as a senior...a member of the National Honor Society...a two-time conference coaches association scholar-athlete who earned the prestigious John Bourke Scholar Leadership Award and the West Penn Allegheny Health System Scholar-Athlete Award...led the team in sacks as a senior, earning All-Conference recognition on the defensive line for the second straight season...also earned All-Conference honors as a placekicker his sophomore season and as a tight end his senior year...plays basketball and is a three-time letterwinner who earned first-team All-Conference honors as chosen by the coaches and All-Conference accolades by the Beaver County Times. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bloom...twin brother of teammate Craig Bloom...born 9/8/84.

JESSE CAMPOAMOR, Offensive Line, 6-5, 265, New York, N.Y./Brooklyn Poly Prep
Plans to major in Government and Law. AT BROOKLYN POLY PREP: Named the team offensive player of the year as a senior...earned third-team All-State honors from The Associated Press...also named to the second-team All-City squad. PERSONAL: Son of Mrs. Karen Smith and Mr. Maarten DeKadt...born 3/1/85.

BRANDON CARTER, Tailback, 5-11, 190, Voorhees, N.J./Eastern
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL: A member of the National Honor Society...letterwinner for both the football and track and field teams...earned honorable mention All-Olympic Conference honors on the gridiron. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward John Carter...brother of Leopard defensive back Ed Carter '04...born 6/10/84.

JERIAH COHEN, Cornerback, 5-9, 170, Ocala, Fla./Belleview
Plans to major in Engineering. AT BELLEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL: Named to All-Area first-team squad...a two-time All-County selection who led the county in interceptions with seven in 2002...earned honorable mention All-Central Florida honors...earned team's 2002 defensive back award...also participates on the track and field team...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.47. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hagins...step-brother of teammate Brandon Hagins...born 6/8/85.

KEVIN GANASCIOLI, Fullback, 6-2, 200, Woodbine, Md./Glenelg
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT GLENELG HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year member of the National Honor Society...the two-time Howard County Player of the Year, he earned Associated Press second-team All-State and first-team All-Met honors as a senior...rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in leading the squad to a 10-0 regular season record...rushed for 1,000 yards as a junior, earning first-team All-County and second-team All-Met honors. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ganasciolo...born 6/3/85.

MIKE GERVASIO, Defensive Tackle, 6-3, 300, Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst
Plans to major in Government and Law. AT LINDENURST HIGH SCHOOL: Named to first-team All-State, first-team All-Long Island and the All-County squads...earned the prestigious Zellner Award, presented to the top lineman in Suffolk County...honored as team's MVP...also a member of the baseball team. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gervasio...born 4/1/85.

BRANDON HAGINS, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180, Ocala, Fla./Belleview
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT BELLEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL: A first-team All-County performer who rushed for 905 yards on 89 carries (10.2 avg.) and tallied 250 yards receiving...also returned five kickoffs for 250 yards...named the team's offensive MVP...runs a 4.43 in the 40...also a member of the track and field team. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hagins...step brother of Jeriah Cohen...born 5/16/85.

CHAD HUNTER, Cornerback, 6-0, 165, Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT WINTER SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year member of the National Honor Society...named All-County Defense and honorable mention All-State...also a member of the baseball team...runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash...a team captain who started as a wide receiver, defensive back and punt returner. PERSONAL: Son of Ms. Susan Hunter...born 11/12/84.

JONATHAN HURT, Tailback, 5-11, 205, Orlando, Fla./Boone
Plans to major in Engineering. AT BOONE HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year member of the National Honor Society...instrumental in helping the football team capture the Florida Class 6A District 3 championship...broke the school record for single-season rushing with 1,781 yards on 151 carries (11.8 avg.), surpassing the previous record held by Stacy Mack of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars...scored 21 touchdowns as a senior, earning the Kiwanis Club Award, the Orlando Touchdown Club Award, Central Florida and East-West All-Star honors and MVP recognition at the East-West All-Star game...also participates in weightlifting...finished fifth in the Metro-Conference Weight Meet...runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. PERSONAL: Son of Ms. Susan Napoleon...born 3/2/84.

TRAVIS HUTSON, Wide Receiver, 5-11, 170, Elkton, Fla./Pedro Menendez
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT PEDRO MENENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year member of the National Honor Society...compiled more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, rushing for more than 500 and returning punts and kickoffs for more than 800 yards combined...selected for the Shrine Bowl, a Northeast Florida All-Star game...three-time player of the week...All-County team...also a member of the track and field and basketball teams...runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash...finished 10th in the 100-meters at the state 3A meet as a junior with a time of 10.7 seconds. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. David Hutson...born 10/3/84.

TORIAN JOHNSON, Safety, 6-2, 175, Largo, Fla./Largo
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT LARGO HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year member of the National Honor Society...earned All-Conference and team defensive back MVP honors as a senior...a Pinellas County All-Star selection...recorded six interceptions and more than 70 tackles his final season...also a member of the track and field and baseball teams...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5. PERSONAL: Son of Ms. Kenya Miller...born 10/24/85.

TYLER JONES, Offensive Line, 6-3, 280, Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL: Recognized by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation as the school's scholar-athlete honoree...a two-way tackle who earned All-Lehigh Valley Conference honors...a member of the National Honor Society...also participates in track and field, twice earning team MVP and All-Lehigh Valley Conference honors...finished sixth in the state in the shot put as a junior (52-feet, 10-inches). PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Jones...born 4/2/85.

BRYAN KAZIMIEROWSKI, Safety, 6-4, 185, Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff
Plans to major in Engineering. AT CEDAR CLIFF HIGH SCHOOL: Honor Roll student...executive board member of Student Council...earned first-team All-Area honors at defensive back...an All-Mid Penn League selection who was selected as a starter for the East-West All-Star game...finished his senior season with 60 receptions for 867 yards as a receiver and 80 tackles and six interceptions as a defensive back...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7...also a member of the basketball team, earning a spot on the Harrisburg Patriot-News Big 15 team as a junior after leading the Harrisburg area in scoring at 17.0 points per game. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Kazimierowski...born 7/13/84.

JOSEPH LANZOT, Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 265, Monaca, Pa./Monaca
Plans to major in Biology. AT MONACA HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year member of the National Honor Society who ranks sixth in his class...four-year letterwinner who served as captain of the football team...recorded 90 tackles, including six sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a senior...named first-team All-Conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman...earned Pennsylvania Football News third-team All-State honors...selected as a member of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Fab 25...also a member of the baseball team. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Lanzot...born 1/1/85.

DANIEL LISENO, Defensive End, 6-3, 240, Clyde, N.Y./Clyde-Savannah
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT CLYDE-SAVANNAH HIGH SCHOOL: Ranks fifth in his class...member of the National Honor Society...earned first-team All-State and first-team All-Finger Lakes West Conference honors...set the New York State Section 5 record for sacks in the playoffs with five...served as the team captain as a senior. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Liseno...born 12/18/84.

JOHN LUCAS, Offensive Line, 6-3, 250, Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT HUNTERDON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: An Honor Roll student and two-year member of the National Honor Society...a three-year letterwinner who was named first-team All-County and third-team All-Courier News as a junior...earned honorable mention recognition on the All-Express-Times area, All-Courier News area and All-County squad as a senior. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas...born 11/4/84.

JOE MARKHAM, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 198, New York, N.Y./Kent (Conn.)
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT KENT SCHOOL: Earned three MVP awards...named All-State and All-New England...as a junior, he earned first-team All-State honors as a running back...as a sophomore, he was named first-team All-Conference as a quarterback and team MVP...set the school record for the longest interception in school history at 102 yards...also a member of the basketball and track and field teams...runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. PERSONAL: Son of Ms. Karlyn Finnegan...born 6/14/84.

TREY MARTELL, Cornerback, 6-0, 185, Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota
Plans to major in Engineering. AT SARASOTA HIGH SCHOOL: A member of the National Honor Society...played safety and linebacker for a defense that allowed just 10.4 points per game and forced 35 turnovers in 2002...earned first-team Herald-Tribune All-Area and second-team Class 6A All-State honors... recorded 96 total tackles, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, four interceptions, five blocked punts and two defensive touchdowns as a senior...named defensive MVP on the basketball team...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6. PERSONAL: Son of Ms. Rhonda Maley...born 6/30/85.

BRAD MAURER, Quarterback, 6-0, 195, Loveland, Ohio/Kings
Major is undeclared. AT KINGS HIGH SCHOOL: All-State quarterback who was a National Merit Scholar finalist and member of the National Honor Society...honored as Kings 2002 Fall Scholar-Athlete...a three-year starter who led his high school team to a 12-1 record and a Division II regional runner-up finish...passed for 2,620 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2002...rushed for 1,001 yards and 20 touchdowns...set the school record for single-game passing yards with 345...won the National Football Foundation's 36th annual "That's My Boy" award as Ohio's top football scholar-athlete...named a finalist for the Cincinnati Enquirer's football player of the year...earned first-team and Offensive Player of the Year honors at every level in 2002, including conference, county, district and state. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Mauer...born 7/8/84.

RYAN NASE, Offensive Line, 6-4, 310, Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge/The Peddie School
Plans to major in Psychology. AT THE PEDDIE SCHOOL: Earned first-team honors on the All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League, Prep All-State, All-Prep Star-Ledger, and All-Prep 12th Man Club of Mercer County squads as both an offensive and defensive lineman. AT FATHER JUDGE HIGH SCHOOL: A National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award recipient...earned the prestigious Philadelphia Daily News/Eagles City All-Star Classic Scholarship Award...named a Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership Top Achiever Award winner...earned first-team recognition on the Coaches All-Catholic, Philadelphia Daily News All-Catholic and The Philadelphia Inquirer All-City squads...also named second-team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Philadelphia Inquirer. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Nase...born 9/25/84.

PAT O'NEILL, Offensive Line, 6-5, 300, Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL: An All-Ocean County and Academic All-Shore honoree...a member of the National Honor Society...vice president of his class. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O'Neill...his brother Tim is a member of the men's soccer team at Bucknell...born 8/22/85.

MATTHEW POTTER, Safety, 6-0, 190, Bethlehem, Pa./Nazareth
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT NAZARETH HIGH SCHOOL: Earned a spot on the High Honor Roll...as a junior, he earned first-team All-Lehigh Valley Conference honors at running back after rushing for 1,358 yards and 14 touchdowns...again earned first-team All-Lehigh Valley Conference honors at running back as a senior after rushing for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns...chosen to The Express-Times All-Area squad as a safety...team captain...also a member of the baseball and wrestling teams...runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Potter...born 3/14/85.

MIKE SAINT GERMAIN, Offensive Line, 6-4, 255, Morris Plains, N.J./Morristown
Plans to major in History. AT MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year member of the National Honor Society...earned All-State honors from The Associated Press, the Newark Star-Ledger and Gannet...chosen to the prestigious New Jersey Football Coaches Association Super 100...a two-time selection to the All-Morris County, All-Iron Hills Conference and All-New Jersey Group IV squads...chosen to the All-Area team by the Daily Record. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Saint Germain...born 1/11/84.

AARON SHAW, Safety, 6-0, 200, Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional
Plans to major in Government and Law. AT MONMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: An Honor Roll student every term in high school...two-year member of the National Honor Society...a four-year letterwinner on the gridiron, serving as team captain his final two seasons...earned a spot on the Jersey Shore All-Academic Team...named to the Super Prep Top 100 in New Jersey...a two-time All-Conference selection at defensive back...named team MVP as a junior...a Nike Camp participant who earned the team's Heart and Soul Award as a senior...led the team in tackles his final two seasons...also a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. Sam Shaw...born 1/2/85.

MARVIN SNIPES, Defensive End, 6-2, 235, Philadelphia, Pa./Bartram
Plans to major in Business and Economics. AT BARTRAM HIGH SCHOOL: A National Honor Society member who ranks seventh in his class...received the Scholar-Athlete Award at the Public League Banquet...earned first-team All-Public League and second-team All-City honors...elected co-captain of the football team...also a member of the baseball and track and field teams...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. Marvin Snipes and Ms. Kym Snipes...born 4/12/85.

JUSTIN STOVALL, Linebacker, 5-11, 210, Melbourne, Fla./Palm Bay/Wyoming Seminary
Major is undeclared. AT WYOMING SEMINARY: Served as a team captain...recorded 65 tackles and five sacks on defense...also saw time at fullback, rushing for 214 yards and three touchdowns...caught 13 passes for 162 yards. AT PALM BAY HIGH SCHOOL: Member of the 2000 6A Florida State football championship squad...helped the team advance to the state semifinals in 2001...was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee...an Honor Roll student...member of the National Honor Society...a team captain who recorded 340 tackles in his career...also a member of the baseball team...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. John Gispanski and Ms. Leslie Stovall...born 3/19/84.

JUSTIN VICTOR, Offensive Line, 6-4, 250, Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Academy
Plans to major in Biology. AT PERRY ACADEMY: A two-year member of the National Honor Society who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy Leadership Conference...a four-year letterwinner who served as team captain...helped lead the program to three city championships, three PIAA state semifinals appearances and a 39-4 record as a starter...earned first-team All-Academic honors from the Pennsylvania Football News...a two-time selection to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's first-team All-Area squad...chosen to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Trib 10 as one of the top 10 lineman in Western Pennsylvania...a certified peer mediator and a National Venture Scholar, he spent time on Student Council and working on the yearbook staff...also lettered in track and field and wrestling...PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Victor...born 6/28/85.

CHRIS WILLIAMS, Tailback, 5-10, 180, Philadelphia, Pa./Central
Major is undeclared. AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: A member of the National Honor Society...a three-year letterwinner on the gridiron who earned first-team All-Public League and third-team All-City honors...a team captain...recorded 1,041 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns in a wing bone offense...named All-Public League in track and field as a sophomore...runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4...ran in the Junior Olympics. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Greene...born 2/9/83.

RICK WILLIAMSON, Cornerback, 5-10, 177, Waldorf, Md./Crossland
Plans to major in English. AT CROSSLAND HIGH SCHOOL: Received his high school's Scholar-Athlete Award and is a member of the Athletic Honor Roll...a captain and two-year starter for the football team...played cornerback, running back and returned kicks...finished second on the team with 82 tackles this season and made two interceptions...tallied 1,050 all-purpose yards in 2002...was named Player to Watch in Prince George County...a three-year member of the basketball team...he is averaging 14.8 ppg and 8.2 apg this season...a sprinter on the track team the last three seasons...runs a 10.6 in the 100-yard dash and a 22.2 in the 200-yard dash...earned honorable mention All-Conference honors. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Rickey Williamson, Sr....born 3/6/85.

RICK ZISKA, Kicker, 5-8, 160, Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson West Lawn
Plans to major in Mathematics. AT WILSON WEST LAWN HIGH SCHOOL: Served as vice president of the National Honor Society...earned first-team All-Lebanon-Lancaster League Academic honors...scored 93 career points...converted 53-of-54 PAT attempts and five-of-seven field goal attempts in 2002...set the school record with a 47-yard field goal...earned first-team All-Berks County in both football and soccer...garnered first-team All-Lebanon-Lancaster League honors as a placekicker...also a member of the baseball team. PERSONAL: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ziska, Sr...born 8/27/85.

Notes on Lafayette Football's Class of 2007

SEEING DOUBLE - For the second straight year, the Lafayette football program has recruited identical twins - Craig and Keith Bloom. The Bloom brothers join current Leopards Taj and Tye Murphy from Columbia, Md.

OH BROTHER - Aside from the twins, there will be two other sets of brothers on the 2003 Lafayette football team. Brandon Carter, younger brother of Leopard defensive back Ed Carter '04 is a member of the Class of 2007. In addition, Jeriah Cohen and Brandon Hagins are step-brothers from Ocala, Fla.

IMPRESSIVE ACCOLADES - The Leopards' Class of 2007 includes 13 All-State honorees and 23 members of the National Honor Society. In addition, five ranked in the top 10 of their class.

SUNNY FLORIDA SHINES ON LAFAYETTE - With the signing of the Class of 2007, the Lafayette football program more than doubles its total of Florida natives in the program. A total of eight Floridians were signed, which combined with the six returnees from the sunshine state, will make 14 total on the Leopards' 2003 roster.

THE PHILLY PIPELINE - The Leopards' 2003 football roster will see twice as many Philadelphia products as there were in 2002. Ryan Nase, Marvin Snipes and Chris Williams will join Maurice Bennett, Romar Drake and Joe McCourt as Lafayette's Philly natives. The recent influx of talent from Philadelphia has caused the Daily News to write "It's past the stage where Lafayette College is making inroads in the recruitment of Philadelphia football players. The Leopards are almost taking over."

ALL-AROUND ATHLETES - Eleven members of the Leopards' Class of 2007 are also part of their high school's track and field program. That list includes one former Junior Olympian (Chris Williams) and two All-Conference performer (Tyler Jones, Rick Williamson).

Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.